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I’m getting older. It’s a fact. However at the same time, I’m convinced that I don’t look a day over 35, 34 on a good day. I’m obsessed with good skin care and I think I’ve found my holy trifecta of keeping my skin fairly wrinkle-free, tight-pored and non-pimply. However, I like to switch it up everyone once in a while and find something new to add to the arsenal.

I added the Dr. Brand Glow Introductory Kit with Retinol products to my stash a few months ago, I think I had that 20% off coupon to Ulta. But you can pick it up here for much less. I bought the set right after the disappointing and stinky mess of the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil. My thoughts on that product are here. Needless to say, my expectations for all retinol products were extremely low.

So what is it? Its a two product system that works together to help you glow. Here is the blurb from the Ulta Website.

Ruby Crystal Retinol Hydracreme with Light Transforming Skin Illuminators: Daily moisture with retinol is recommended for healthy glowing skin. With this powerful cream, not only is skin well-hydrated, but micronized ruby crystals combined with optical diffusers and skin illuminators reflect light for a smoother, more even look and a healthy glow.

For most skin types except those with excessive dryness and sensitivities.

Did you read that last sentence. Yep, will come back to that one.

My issue with retinol products is that I don’t see much of a difference. Perhaps I don’t use them consistently enough. With my holy grail glycolic acid products I feel as though the effect is immediate. I know the retinol products act on a more cumulative as they act on a deeper skin level than glycolic products, but I get tired of waiting.

I don’t buy the whole micronized ruby crystals working in the lotion, I have yet to see any skin illuminating from it. I’m not sure if that is supposed to be a reflection of the actual ruby powder included in the ingredients or if it’s supposed so have an exfoliant property. It does have a very slight shimmer to it, but it’s not noticeable on my skin. I do like to use it in the mornings with sunscreens. It’s a not a heavy moisturizer and will be perfect for me during the summer so while I will not repurchase these daytime moisturizer, I will continue to use it up.

I’m on the fence about the Overnight Resurfacing Serum works slowly. I didn’t wake up with brand new skin the next day, but I do notice that I’m not praying for Botox as often as I used to it. The change has crept up on me slowly and I have upped my sunscreen usage as the old skin sloughs off. Which brings me back to that dryness blurb. Can you say itchy dry skin, and a little bit of peeling. Nothing too scary, I tend to have dry skin anyway. It was the itchy part that made me concerned, I was waking up scratching my face every day. Enough to make me stop using the products for a minute. But that is something the manufacturer warns about. I scaled back to using this twice a week and the dry itchy patches went away. I don’t feel as wrinkly, and have even started using a very tiny amount around my eyes where I feel I most need it. Again, this is only once a week or so, baby steps with this product.

I am not sure if I will repurchase this particular retinol product or try a different version. I do see a place in my routine for retinol use as I continue to work on maintaining my appearance. Isn’t it fabulous how many options we have now in the skincare world? Don’t forget to check out Amazon for these and other amazing beauty products.